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Irish Independent
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Kerry FC boss Colin Healy on FAI Cup win: ‘The players will give everything they can'
Healy on Adams' 96th minute goal that sent the FAI Cup second round game between Kerry FC and Athlone Town to extra-time: 'It was a small bit of brilliance from Joe. He put it in the top corner, and sometimes you need that' Kerryman As the clock ticked into the seventh minute of added time at Mounthawk Park on Friday night, Kerry FC substitute Joe Adams stood over a 25-yard free-kick with his side 1-0 down and on the verge of bowing out of the Sports Direct FAI Cup at the first hurdle. With a beautiful strike off his left peg, the net bulged, Athlone Town were shell-shocked, and it was onto extra-time. Within two minutes of the restart, Daniel Okwute had put the winner on a plate for another replacement, Kennedy Amechi, and the hosts were into the draw for the next round.
RTÉ News
a day ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Liam Boyce bags quickfire treble to send Derry on their way past Treaty United
Liam Boyce bagged a hat-trick off the bench in just 25 minutes to put Derry City through to the next round of the Sports Direct FAI Cup. With the game in Markets Field at a stalemate and fast approaching the hour mark, Boyce was summoned and ended up being the difference. Derry City would likely have welcomed a cup tie after their most disappointing result of the season last week. Their 2-0 defeat to Sligo Rovers really put a dampener on what had already been a mixed league campaign to date, but the allure of at least €650,000 in European money for winning this tournament might have been enough to merit its own independent focus. The Candystripes were hardly blessed with an easy run in last year's renewal, so in a sense, a trip down to Limerick was probably a turn in their favour. Although their cup history against teams from the third city is mixed at best. Perhaps their most famous meeting in cup competition came in the League Cup final in 2002, when a Brendan Hughes-captained Limerick FC, who had finished bottom of the second tier that year, lifted the trophy at the Brandywell, after winning 3-2 on penalties. Now, the gap isn't quite as big as it was back then – and the fact that Derry City had to wait until 40 minutes into the game for an effort of note was more reflective of their pedestrian pace than the evolution of football on Shannonside. But as the clock ticked towards 60 minutes with little joy, Tiernan Lynch was forced to act. He called out for the services of Boyce and, within two minutes, the former Northern Ireland international repaid in kind. Michael Duffy lined up a corner from the right-hand side and his lofted cross found Boyce right on the penalty spot. The contact wasn't perfect, but it looped over Corey Chambers into the Treaty net. Ten minutes later, the tie was over. For all the good the hosts might have done in open play, they were undone once more from a set piece, as Michael Duffy's corner found Alex Bannon at the back post to nod into the bottom corner. And the trifecta was completed five minutes later as another Duffy corner found Boyce, who'd barely been on the pitch a quarter of an hour. The vocal home crowd at least had their moment to celebrate as their undisputed talisman Lee Devitt pulled one back with just over ten minutes to go. But that would soon be ruled out when Boyce completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot, and Danny Mullen completed a rout that had looked highly unlikely only ten minutes beforehand. Treaty United: Corey Chambers; Evan O'Connor, Robbie Lynch, Mark Walsh )eoing Martin, Ben Lynch; Steven Healy (Fionn Doherty, 89), Connor Wilson (Brian Cunningham, 65); Colin Conroy (Mark Byrne, Lee Devitt, Mark Murphy; Trpimir Vrljičak (Patrick Ferry, 77). Derry City: Brian Maher; Alex Bannon, Mark Connolly, Sam Todd; Ronan Boyce (Robbie Benson, 77), Sadou Diallo, Adam O'Reilly, Shane Ferguson (Hayden Cann, 57); Gavin Whyte (Liam Boyce, 57), Dipo Akinyemi (Danny Mullen, 69), Michael Duffy (Adam Frizell, 77).
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
FAI Cup preview: Dundalk look for upset against Sligo
Premier and First Division clubs enter the Sports Direct FAI Cup tonight, with possible upsets arguably thin on the ground at this last-32 stage. The second round draw threw up an anomaly of no all-Premier ties, with seven teams from the top flight paired with non-league sides, and just one will play outside their home venue. Given the strength of the Premier sides against out of the season junior and intermediate sides, it would take a shock of epic proportions for even one of the septet to be eliminated. The tie of the round is undoubtedly First Division leaders Dundalk hosting a rapidly improving Sligo Rovers side battling for survival in the league. The Lilywhites may have dropped down a tier, but their pedigree in the competition is unquestionable amid a 17-match unbeaten FAI Cup run at Oriel Park. Ciaran Kilduff has done an impressive job in taking a young squad to the top of the league, despite a couple of defeats recently. For Sligo, they have turned a deficit to second from bottom Cork City into an eight-point advantage over the Rebels inside the last month. John Russell's side still occupy the play-off position, yet they have clawed the gap on Galway United back to just six points thanks to 11 points from a possible 18. Bigger games await for the Lilywhites and the Bit O' Red in far more important league matters, yet the Cup can certainly build momentum for the teams. It isn't beyond the realms of possibility this could be a preview of a possible promotion play-off, although both have greater ambitions as it stands. Dundalk boss Ciaran Kilduff is excited by testing themselves against Sligo: "We're all really looking forward to the game. The lads are motivated and excited for the opportunity to test ourselves against a Premier Division side. "We know it's going to be a big challenge, but it's also a big occasion at Oriel and we want to rise to that. Everyone's focused and ready to put on a good performance for the supporters." Russell feels it will be similar to a Premier Division clash: "They've had a really impressive season so far" "Of course, as the team who came down from the Premier, they will be the favourites to go back up but that comes with a lot of pressure. "Ciaran Kilduff has done such a great job over there and they'll be looking for a scalp on Friday. "They have experience in their squad and have plenty of players with Premier Division quality and experience. So there will certainly be no gulf in standard between the teams." Shamrock Rovers have been on the sidelines due to the promotion to the second round of the UEFA Conference League. A friendly with Glenavon helped fill their schedule last week and a home match with Wexford tonight is a final clash before they take on St Joseph's of Gibraltar next week. Wexford, managed by former Republic of Ireland international striker Stephen Elliott, have fallen behind in their own bid to get a play-off spot. They travel to Tallaght knowing it will take their very best to make it a competitive encounter. John McGovern is likely to make a competitive debut for the Hoops. Stephen Bradley feels it is a big opportunity to go far in the Cup this campaign: It's definitely a competition we want to go far in. This is the first time in a long time that we've got a home draw in the FAI Cup without having an away European game before it, which has caught us the last few years. "So this is the first time we haven't had that, which is really good and it gives us a chance to really go and attack it. And that's what we'll do tonight." Derry City will make the long journey to Limerick as they face Treaty United at the Market's Field. City suffered a setback in losing to Sligo last Saturday. They remain in the hunt for a league challenge or at least a European finish. They last met in the Cup in a semi-final in 2022 when City came out on top as they went on to lift the trophy. Last year's beaten finalists, they have proven a hard nut to crack in the Cup in the last few editions. Holders Drogheda United begin their defence of the competition at home to one of the stronger non-league sides in Crumlin United. Attention on Saturday will be on Cork City as they face a 12pm kick-off against Leicester Celtic. With just one win in their last 22 in the league, things are looking bleak at Turner's Cross. A sparse crowd will be present as Ger Nash seeks a first victory since taking over the club. Leicester Celtic, a former club of Damien Duff during his playing days, are based in Rathfarnham. Shelbourne will take a break from their European commitments for a trip to Limerick to take on Fairview Rangers. Two ties take place on Sunday, with Castlebar Celtic hoping to beat First Division strugglers Longford Town. Stephen Kenny's St Patrick's Athletic host Cork side UCC to complete the round. Friday, 18 July – 7.45pm unless stated Bray Wanderers v Wayside Celtic, Carlisle Grounds Drogheda United v Crumlin United, Sullivan and Lambe Park Dundalk v Sligo Rovers, Oriel Park Finn Harps v UCD, Finn Park Galway United v Tolka Rovers, Eamonn Deacy Park Kerry v Athlone Town, Mounthawk Park Killester Donnycarney v Bohemians, Dalymount Park Treaty United v Derry City, Markets Field Waterford v St. Mochta's, the RSC Shamrock Rovers v Wexford, Tallaght Stadium 8pm Saturday, 19 July Cork City v Leicester Celtic, Turner's Cross, 12pm Salthill Devon v St. Michael's, Drom – 2pm Bangor Celtic v Cobh Ramblers, Transport Club – 3pm Fairview Rangers v Shelbourne, Singland Park – 6pm Sunday, 20 July Castlebar Celtic v Longford Town, Celtic Park - 5pm St. Patrick's Athletic v UCC, Richmond Park - 6pm
Extra.ie
4 days ago
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Wayside Celtic: Meet the Leinster League side looking to shock the FAI Cup
The magic of the cup is back in the air as the Sports Direct FAI Cup kicks off its second round this week, with the League of Ireland sides making their first foray into this year's tournament. Cup football is for some people the best type of football, you can reminisce on the great moments of the World Cup, FA Cup and the FAI Cup, whether it was the great runs of the last amateur team to win it Home Farm, to Longford Town's back-to-back triumphs in 2003 and 2004 to even Drogheda United last year winning it all, cup football can conjure up some great stories. One amateur side looking to cause a 'cup-set' is Wayside Celtic. The Kilternan side are one of a number Leinster Senior League sides in the second round and they'll make the short 7km trip across to Bray to face off against Wanderers at Carlisle Grounds. Pic: Eddie Lennon Sporting Images While this is a huge occasion for Wayside, it probably hasn't come at the perfect time. With the Leinster Senior League and the League of Ireland don't have an aligned calendar, with the LSL running the traditional slot of around August-May while the LOI runs from February to November. For Wayside this has meant that they're off-season was somewhat brief, mainly due deep runs in the FAI Intermediate, Charlie Cahill and the Metro Cup meant firstly they qualified for the FAI Cup first round but also their 2024/25 season ran long. Their season didn't actually end until 8 June and less than a month later on 7 July full training was underway for the Bray tie. Pic: Alan Quinn (LSL Live Updates) When speaking to striker Darragh O'Connor he explained that pre-season hasn't actually started much earlier than the last season they weren't in the FAI Cup, but the intensity of it that has made it such a challenge. 'We don't have time to be doing running for a few weeks, you need to come back fit. We've been back in the last 10, 11 days officially before this game. It's like, come back fit and we need to just go straight into football tactics, games.' Wayside were able to squeeze in one friendly in preparation for this game but manager Ross Zambra spoke about the difficulties of the quick turnaround to next season. 'We only went back to training Monday last to prepare for this game and to be honest with you, it's not long enough preparation for a game like this, but the break wasn't long enough for the players in terms of our off season coming as well. So the timing is far from ideal but it's the same for all the Senior League clubs. We're all out of season while the League of Ireland teams are bang in season and they're up to speed and all that.' Pic: Alan Quinn (LSL Live Updates) It wasn't just the players who had a busy off-season. While they were trying to stay fit Zambra and his coaches were busy scouting Bray, watching every one of their games they could, whether in person or on LOI TV while Zambra was also busy recruiting players for the new season. Zambra commended the huge commitment of his players over the 10 days, some of whom have taken time off their work to make sure they can keep up with the rigorous training schedule. This squad already has experience of playing at this stage, having reached the second round stage last season where they hosted Wexford at Jackson Park in a 3-1 defeat, with O'Connor getting on the scoresheet that day. It's not just the underdogs aspect that makes this tie so interesting but the closeness, both geographically and metaphorically between the clubs. The Zambra family are synonymous with Bray Wanderers, brothers Ross and Dean both played for the club with Dean captaining the side and their father Garry was involved in coaching at the club for 25 years. He was First Team Coach when they won the FAI Cup in 1999 (Dean was a mascot that day too). Bray Wanderers celebrate following their 1999 FAI Cup win. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Paton But now Ross and Dean are coaching at Wayside with Dean involved with the squad in the lead up to the tie. Zambra spoke about how big of a tie it is for the community and the local area. 'I think it was the perfect draw for us. I think it's something that has really captured the imagination of people inside the club and the local area. We're getting lots of messages of support.' O'Connor further added; 'This game is such a big deal, there will be all the all the club members around the place, the school boy clubs, it's such a big occasion. Pic: Eddie Lennon Sporting Images The tie between the clubs runs through the players at Wayside as well, with O'Connor for example playing with Bray fullback Max Murphy since they were kids at Cabinteely. He explained how that tie runs deep in the squad. 'I'd say about three-quarters of our team and coaching staff have either played, managed, coached, or have had some involvement in Bray and Cabo [Cabinteely]. That kind of affiliation. So it's a massive draw. Literally, they're down the road. In fact, half our team are from Bray, so they'll probably walk to the game.' It won't be a walk into the next round for Wayside but unlike last year where Zambra made the point of embracing the occasion against Wexford, this year him and his team are out to ruffle a few feathers and cause an upset. It'll be a night to remember for everyone involved in Wayside on Friday.
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Stephen Elliott eyeing FAI Cup shock as Wexford FC try to upset Shamrock Rovers
'We're more looking forward to it than dreading it, that's for sure' Wexford People Wexford FC will be hoping they can pull off a giant-killing act when they travel to Tallaght Stadium to take on Shamrock Rovers in the Sports Direct FAI Cup on Friday (8 p.m.). Games don't come any tougher than being drawn away to the Premier Division pacesetters, although it's certainly a glamour tie that management, players and supporters alike will be relishing.
